Freshman Gymnast Competes Without Coach

Jerry Colker practices gymnastics for two hours every day, always uncoached and frequently alone. Often he has to travel to MIT to receive coaching and supervision for some of his more difficult manuevers.

Colker, a freshman living in Wigglesworth, placed 11th in the still rings competition of the Ivy League Gymnastic Championships last Sunday in Dartmouth's Alumni Gym. Represented only by Colker, Harvard finished last in a field of five, scoring 5.85 points.

The meet was unofficial since only Cornell and Dartmouth fielded varsity teams. The other squads held only club status.

As a club sport at Harvard, gymnastics is entitled to a coach and several hundred dollars. Rick Delgallo, the latest gymnastics coach, left the $500-a-year job in the fall of 1972.

Carlo Rizzo, a junior with gymnastic experience, has subsequently served as the liason between the club and the athletic department. However, Rizzo has not received any funds either for coaching or for equipment.

After Delgallo's departure, Rizzo said he made inquiries with Athletic Director John Yovicsin concerning the funds. Rizzo said Yovicsin contacted him this fall and "I was told they were still looking into the matter."

Colker said yesterday that the gymnastics facilities in Hemenway Gym are "inadequate," and that more chalk for the gymnasts' hands and a crash mat are needed. However, he said the main problem is the lack of a coach.

Colker scored 5-8-5 (out of a possible 10-10-10) at Dartmouth in his first competition of the year. "My routine is a potential 8-8-8, but with no coach it is difficult to perform well," Colker said.

Other gymnasts occasionally practice with Colker, and "with a coach we could have placed third in the Ivies" he said.

Colker said he paid for both the $16 bus trip and his food, and that Dartmouth provided him with a room.

This Saturday Colker will be the only Harvard gymnast competing in the New England Championships at Boston State.